New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-08-21
THE ENGLISH CRISIS.

Mr. Parnelrs short talks on the fortunes OF
tho Irish cause are even moro 1nclslve IMAM
his speeches in Parliament Unlike the great
leaders who have preceded him, OConneH
and Grattan, he is no orator and speaks with
difficulty in formal debates but when he con-
fers with his confidential advisers passages o.
real eloquencc spring from the fulness OF his
heart What a striking figure he employed
in his conversation with Mr.. Gill as repeated
by cable in yesterdays TRIBUNE! lie de-
scribed the Irish tenant as stripped naKeu
and left to defend himself against his land
lord who has Coercion Government al MS
back. This touch of rhetoric Illuminated the
situation in Parliament in the present cr1sls.
A fortnight ago tenants relief and coercion
were running together, the Government hav-
irg reduced the Land Act to form which
met with Mr.. Parnell's approval. Now every
thing is changed. Tenants relief and coercion
are wantonly divorced. The Land Act IS re-
cast In conformity with the landlords demands
and coercion stands alone. The tenant Is
denied relief and, as Mr.. Parnell remarks, his
only weapon, organization for self-protectioh
is taken from his hand.
Mr.. Sexton, unlike Mr.. ParneI, Is natural
orator. He Is the most eloquent speaker on
the Irish side; and because he Is an orator no
Is ouieter and more reserved In familiar con-
yersation. in his very interesting talk with
Mr.. Gill reported in yesterdays Issue he was
practical and sagacious rather than eloquent
Ho discussed with shrewdness the technical
question involved in the proclamation OF inc
League. The Governments action, he cX-
planned, is not based on allegations OF the
Leagues completely, direct or indirect win
crime but upon the vague and shadowy asser-
ton that it incites to intimidation and inter-
fcres with the administration Of the law. This
important distinction fully justfies the conduct
of English Radicals who have taken The
bold step of applying for admission to mem
bership in the League. 1t is, moreover, an
instructive commentary on the Parnclllsm
and Crime issue falsely raised by the Union
lists. The Government invested with full
power Of proceeding against the National
League as a criminal agency does not dare to
do it. 1t procaims the League on distinctly
political grounds.
Our regular London correspondent IN To-
DAYS dispatches presents some considerations
which lessen the importance of the Govern
ments action. BY the terms Of the Coercion
bill the consent of Parliament Is made con-
dition of the proclaiming of the League. Alter
the adjournment this month it would have been
impossible for the Government tc proceed
against the League without summonng Par
lament within twenty days. Now that notice
has been given a general debate can be had
before adjournment and the Government Will
then have its hands free. Our London cor
respondents explanation is reasonable one.
Ministers, he says. have not made final
njunge. but have only taken off their clothes.
They have complied with a formaity and
sounded a warning; but they have not yet
suppressed the National League. Certainly
the warning was badly timed, since the proc
lamation of the League has accompanied the
mutilation of the Land Act; and the Liberal
Unionists are panic-strlckcn.